DYLA President’s Message
President Gary Richins below!
Since the 2009 Lacrosse season will soon be upon us I thought it a good time to introduce myself and some new changes. It is the goal to enhance both the instructive and competitive nature of the Delaware Youth Lacrosse Association (DYLA).
First, I am Mario Gangemi from the Cecil Lacrosse League. Our organization is entering its third season in existence and its second year of full-time participation in the DYLA. We have appreciated the welcome extended to us by the other member organizations and look forward to contributing to the sustained success of the DYLA.
Second, the DYLA is excited to announce our newest member, the Coastal Lacrosse Club of Ocean Pines, Maryland. This newly formed organization plans to field both boys and girls teams in every age group.
Third, the DYLA has listened to suggestions over the years on ways to enhance our organization. Based on some of those ideas we going to do the following this coming season:
- Increase the number of games by starting the season a week earlier and having mid-week games in addition to our normal Sunday games. Games will not be played on Easter Sunday or Mother’s Day. This gives us the potential for as many as twelve (12) games instead of the six (6) we played last year. We will still have the season ending tournament the weekend before Memorial Day.
- Increase both the instructive and competitive nature of the DYLA. We will do this by having both “A” and “B” boys teams for each member program. Essentially, the “A” teams will be comprised of relatively experienced boys and the “B” teams will be comprised of boys will little or no lacrosse experience. The As will play the As and the Bs will play the Bs. At this time there are no plans to do this with the girls teams.
- Improve the consistency of officiating. Our officials do a fantastic job of refereeing the games. However, the application of the rules may vary from game to game. This is mostly due to a familiarity with high school and college lacrosse rules, but not with youth rules. We will utilize the rules available from U.S. Lacrosse and develop a uniform set of rules for application to the DYLA.
Mario J. Gangemi, P.E.
President, DYLA
